Restless Feet is a five piece band from Freiburg (Germany). Kai (vocals, Irish bouzouki, tin whistle), Markus (vocals, guitar), Marcy (vocals, fiddle), Jacob (bass) and Alex (vocals, drums) recorded this 7 track mini-album last year. The stuff on “Almost Irish” can be divided into three groups of songs: self-penned material, some covers of Breton music and some standards.

The two originals on the album are track no. 1 “Empire of Gold” and track no. 3, “The Irish Pride”. Both of them are amazing songs, but I feel that the former has better arrangements and production than the latter. I guess that they also feel that it’s the best song on the album, since an official video for this song was shot. It’s a fast-paced anthem with kick-ass strings, gang vocals and strong lead vocals. “The Irish Pride” is also an interesting song with a catchy chorus, but I feel that it would have needed more energy.

It’s not quite usual that a Celtic punk band covers music from Brittany. Therefore I’d like to congrat Restless Feet for choosing a song from harpist Alan Stivell repertoire (“Tri Martolod”) and another one from Tri Yann repertoire (“Kan Ar Kann”).

Finally, I guess that the band didn’t have enough original songs on their setlist and then they have included some Irish standards on the mini-album. Their renditions are not bad, “The Foggy Dew” gets a 5 minutes treatment and “Black and Tans” is an awesome Celtic punk number. However, I would have enjoyed other songs that have not been covered so often.

Regarding the packaging, “Almost Irish” is delivered in a jewel case with a 4 page booklet with band members pics, line-up, credits and the lyrics to the two original songs.

Restless Feet are an honest and fresh young band. I expect that their sophomore release includes more original compositions and that they keep on digging for the Breton music treasures.